What Is a Chesterfield Bed?
A Chesterfield bed takes its name from the classic Chesterfield sofa, known for its deep buttoning, rolled arm-style headboard edges and tufted upholstery. Traditionally crafted in leather, the style has been reimagined for the bedroom with soft velvet, boucle and linen-look fabrics, making it a popular choice for anyone wanting a luxurious, hotel-style finish at home. The design has stood the test of time precisely because it does two things at once: it looks like a statement piece of furniture, and it's genuinely comfortable to sit up against while reading or watching TV in bed.
Unlike a plain divan or a simple slatted frame, a Chesterfield bed is built around its headboard. The deep button detailing, sometimes called diamond or Chesterfield tufting, is created by pulling the fabric tight against the frame at regular intervals and securing it with covered buttons, creating that instantly recognisable quilted texture. It's a labour-intensive technique, which is part of why a well-made Chesterfield bed feels like an investment piece rather than a throwaway purchase.
See Our Chesterfield Beds in Leicester
While every Chesterfield bed on this page can be ordered online, we know a headboard this detailed is best seen in person. Fabric that looks one shade on a screen can look completely different under natural light, and the depth of the buttoning is something photographs rarely do justice. Our Leicester showroom displays a selection of our Chesterfield range across different fabrics and colourways, so you can check the buttoning, upholstery weight and headboard height before committing.
Our team is on hand to talk through sizing, storage options and fabric care, and because we're based locally, every order placed for delivery within Leicester comes with free delivery — no minimum spend required. Whether you're upgrading a single guest room or furnishing a new-build home from scratch, popping in to see the range first can take a lot of the guesswork out of buying a bed online.
Choosing the Right Size
Our Chesterfield beds are available in single, small double, double, king size and super king, so you can pick the frame that best suits your bedroom and mattress.
- Single and small double — a good option for children's rooms, guest bedrooms or smaller box rooms, without losing the statement headboard.
- Double — a popular middle-ground choice for spare rooms or more compact main bedrooms.
- King size — our most requested size. A king size Chesterfield bed offers extra sleeping space without overwhelming a mid-sized room, and comfortably suits couples who want more room to spread out.
- Super king — for larger bedrooms, a super king Chesterfield bed makes a striking centrepiece. The wider headboard really lets the buttoning pattern shine, and it pairs well with matching bedside furniture for a fully furnished look.
If you're unsure which size will actually fit your room, our Leicester showroom team can talk you through real dimensions against your space, or you can measure up at home first — as a general rule, allow extra clearance around the bed for wardrobe doors and walking space, not just the mattress footprint itself.
Fabric and Colour Options
Chesterfield beds are traditionally associated with leather, and we do offer rich leather finishes for anyone after that classic Chesterfield sofa look carried through to the bedroom. But the bulk of our range is upholstered in velvet, which has become the go-to fabric for modern Chesterfield beds thanks to how well it catches light across the buttoning and how soft it feels to lean against.
Colourwise, we stock everything from deep navy, charcoal grey and black through to softer neutrals like beige, cream and dove grey, plus statement shades like emerald and blush for anyone wanting their bed frame to do more of the visual work in the room. Grey and navy Chesterfield beds remain some of our most popular choices, as they pair easily with existing bedding and don't date as quickly as louder colours.
Ottoman Storage Options
Some of our Chesterfield styles are available with an ottoman base, giving you hidden storage space beneath the mattress. This is a practical addition if you're short on wardrobe space or simply want to keep bedding, spare pillows and seasonal clothing out of sight. The ottoman mechanism lifts the whole mattress platform on a gas-lift system, so you get full access to the storage cavity without needing to lift the mattress by hand. If floor space is tight, this is often a better use of a bedroom than adding a separate storage unit or ottoman box.
Styling Your Chesterfield Bed
The buttoned headboard is the focal point of any Chesterfield bed, so keep bedding simple and let the frame do the talking — think crisp white linen, or tonal shades that echo the upholstery colour. A few extra styling notes:
- Cushions: one or two structured cushions against the headboard highlight the buttoning rather than hiding it — avoid piling on too many, which can bury the design.
- Bedside tables: low, simple bedside tables tend to work best, keeping the visual weight on the headboard rather than competing with it.
- Lighting: warm, low lighting (wall-mounted reading lights or a soft bedside lamp) brings out the depth of the buttoning far better than a single overhead ceiling light.
- Rugs: a rug placed at the foot of the bed helps ground the room and adds warmth against the more formal lines of the frame.
For a fully coordinated bedroom, pair your bed with a matching Chesterfield footstool at the foot of the bed, or a full bedroom furniture set in the same fabric — many customers who visit our Leicester showroom end up mixing a Chesterfield bed with a plainer wardrobe and chest of drawers, letting the bed remain the standout piece rather than matching everything exactly.
Choosing the Right Mattress
Most standard UK mattress sizes will fit our Chesterfield bed frames without any adjustment. Because the structured base is built to support the mattress firmly and reduce movement, we'd generally recommend a medium to firm mattress to complement it — a mattress that's too soft can sink unevenly against a firmer frame and shorten its lifespan. If you're upgrading from an older bed, it's also worth checking your existing mattress for wear before transferring it across; a new frame is a good opportunity to reassess mattress support too.
Caring for Your Upholstered Bed Frame
Upholstered furniture needs a little more maintenance than a plain wooden or metal frame, but it's straightforward once it's part of your routine.
- Fabric (velvet, boucle, linen-look): vacuum regularly with a soft brush attachment, paying particular attention to the buttoning where dust tends to collect. Blot spills immediately with a clean, dry cloth rather than rubbing, which can push the stain deeper into the fibres.
- Leather: wipe down with a slightly damp cloth to remove dust and surface marks, and apply a proper leather conditioner every few months to stop the material drying out or cracking, especially near radiators or in direct sunlight.
- General care: avoid placing the bed frame in direct sunlight for long periods, as this can fade fabric and leather unevenly over time. Rotating your mattress periodically also helps maintain even wear across the frame.
Why Buy Your Chesterfield Bed From Us
Beyond the range itself, buying locally in Leicester has practical advantages: you can see and feel the fabric before you buy, ask questions face to face rather than over email, and — if you're within Leicester — get your bed delivered free of charge. For customers further afield, we're happy to talk through fabric swatches and sizing over the phone so you can still buy with confidence, even if a showroom visit isn't practical.
